Cliff Curtis ("Whale Rider") takes on the persona of Genesis Potini, a chess genius struggling against his own internal battles while hoping to influence future generations in James Napier Robertson’s second feature length film.

The TIFF synopsis reads: "A former speed-chess champion struggling with bipolar disorder (Cliff Curtis) takes over as coach of a chess team for at-risk youth, in the inspirational true story of New Zealand chess legend Genesis Potini."

"Dark Horse" will make its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival on September 6.